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Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

In 2012, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were 1853 kilotonnes (kt), a decrease of 105 kt (5%) from 2011 emission levels. The level of NOx emissions in 2012 was 684 kt (27%) lower than in 1990.

The decline in NOx emissions is mostly attributable to two factors: a reduction in emissions from transportation, given the progressive introduction of cleaner technology and fuels for vehicles; and a reduction in emissions from electricity generation as a result of regulation and domestic and international agreements. Decreases also occurred from industry as a whole (e.g. cement industry).

Nitrogen oxide emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2012

Long Description

The line chart shows nitrogen oxide emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2012. In 2012, nitrogen oxide emissions were 1853 kilotonnes, a decrease of 105 kilotonnes or 5% from 2011 emission levels. The level of nitrogen oxide emissions in 2012 was 684 kilotonnes or 27% lower than in 1990.

Sources of nitrogen oxide emissions

In 2012, transportation (road, rail, air and marine) contributed the most to Canada’s NOx emissions, representing 33% (609 kt). The oil and gas industry emitted the next-largest proportions of national NOx emissions, representing 24% (441 kt), followed by off-road vehicles with 21% (386 kt). Between 1990 and 2012, the source that had the largest reduction (561 kt) was transportation (road, rail, air and marine).

Nitrogen oxide emissions by source, Canada, 1990 to 2012

Long Description

The stacked area chart shows nitrogen oxide emissions in Canada by source for the years 1990 to 2012. The emissions are expressed in kilotonnes. Between 1990 and 2012, the source that had the largest reduction (561 kilotonnes) was transportation (road, rail, air and marine).

Note: Emissions from natural sources (such as biogenics) and open sources (such as road dust) are not included. However, emissions from open sources related to waste (such as landfills) were included. Other Sources include home firewood burning, incineration and miscellaneous, and other industries.Source: Environment Canada (2014) 2012 Air Pollutant Emission Summaries and Historical Emission Trends.

Nitrogen oxide emissions from facilities

Environment Canada’s National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) provides detailed information on air pollutant emissions from industrial and commercial facilities. The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program provides access to this information through an online interactive map.

With the CESI interactive map, you can drill down to local areas and obtain details on NOx emissions specific to reporting facilities.

Nitrogen oxides emissions by province and territory

Environment Canada is currently revising, in collaboration with provincial/territorial counterparts, the breakdown of total emissions by province and territory to reflect methodological improvements. Consequently, air pollutant emissions by province and territory could not be included in the update of the indicator at this time.